04 November,2026 12:12 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondent
Pic/Shiv Sena
The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction has suffered a setback in Hingoli district after former Kalamnuri MLA Dr Santosh Tarfe joined the Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday, along with several district-level leaders and hundreds of party workers.
Tarfe's induction into the Shinde-led party took place in the presence of Shinde and sitting Kalamnuri MLA Santosh Bangar. The move comes ahead of the upcoming local self-government elections and is expected to influence the political landscape in Hingoli district.
Several prominent local representatives and office-bearers also joined the Shiv Sena alongside Tarfe, including the Thackeray faction's Hingoli district chief Gopu Patil, former Zilla Parishad president Ganaji Bele and former municipal president Nandkishor Toshniwal.
Former Zilla Parishad members, former sarpanches, gram panchayat members, branch chiefs, senior office-bearers and hundreds of party workers were also among those who joined the party.
The induction is likely to strengthen the Shiv Sena's organisational presence in the district while weakening the Thackeray faction's local network.
Welcoming the new entrants, Shinde said the Shiv Sena, guided by the ideals of Balasaheb Thackeray and Anand Dighe, was committed to the development of ordinary people and society.
Referring to Tarfe's association with the tribal community, Shinde said his entry into the party would create opportunities to expand development initiatives for the community.
"You have joined the Shiv Sena that follows Balasaheb's ideology. Work for society and work for the Shiv Sena. The Shiv Sena will always stand by you for your development work and social upliftment. We will ensure that you do not face any shortage of support," Shinde said.
He also urged the newly inducted leaders and workers to focus on social development alongside strengthening the party organisation.
Shinde referred to development works undertaken in Hingoli district and said substantial funds had earlier been made available through MLA Santosh Bangar.
He assured the new entrants that the government would continue to provide support for pending development projects, infrastructure improvements and initiatives aimed at the welfare of the tribal community.
The deputy chief minister said the government would extend the necessary assistance to ensure that development work in the region continued.
His remarks were aimed at reassuring local leaders and representatives that their development priorities would receive government support following their induction into the party.
The entry of Tarfe, Patil and several other district-level leaders is being viewed as a significant organisational gain for the Shinde-led Shiv Sena in Hingoli.
The development assumes importance ahead of the upcoming local self-government elections, when political parties are expected to intensify efforts to consolidate their support at the grassroots level.
The induction of former legislators, local representatives and party workers could strengthen the Shiv Sena's position in the district, while posing a challenge to the Thackeray faction's organisational structure.
Shinde also called for a large public gathering to be organised in Hingoli in the near future and said he would attend the event personally. He congratulated the new entrants and wished them success in their political journey.
The induction ceremony was attended by MLA Santosh Bangar, MLA Kishor Appa Patil, Shiv Sena secretary Ram Repale and Satara district liaison chief Sharad Kanse.
Senior Shiv Sena office-bearers and a large number of party workers from Hingoli were also present at the event.
The party has welcomed the induction as an opportunity to expand its organisational presence in the district and strengthen its grassroots network ahead of the upcoming elections.
